IPL 10: Match 18, DD v KKR - Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted XI

The high-flying Kolkata Knight Riders have put in consistent performances in their last four matches and are amongst the top teams on the points table. Despite the loss to their make-shift opener Chris Lynn, they have had the depth to replace the Australian at the top of the order holding the balance intact.

The Knight Riders have replaced the Australian batsman with the surprise element of West Indian mystery bowler Sunil Narine. The move came as a surprise for the supporters, but the West Indian put up an explosive start in his first game as an opener in the tournament. Middle order batsman Robin Uthappa’s form came as a boost for Gautam Gambhir’s side after he failed in their opening game.

It would, however, be surprising to see if Gambhir makes any changes to the team. Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib-al-Hassan still has to wait for his turn after the injury to Chris Lynn. Colin de Grandhomme who has featured this far in the tournament is in the fear of losing his position to Shakib al Hassan.

Here is a look at the predicted XI for their match against Delhi Daredevils.

Openers (Sunil Narine and Gautam Gambhir)

It is not a surprise now that Sunil Narine will open the innings alongside the regular opener Gautam Gambhir. The batting combination had worked the first time out when it was tested against Kings XI Punjab and failed miserably against the opening spell of Bhuvaneswar Kumar.

Gautam Gambhir would want to emulate his performance against the Kings XI Punjab against the experienced bowling unit of Delhi Daredevils. The Knight Riders would want their openers to get the best of starts when they face Delhi, because of the depth that the Delhi bowling line-up has.

Against the experienced Zaheer Khan and the South African all-rounder Chris Morris, it would be difficult to imagine the openers getting off to a blazing start, given that the partnership is relatively new and the duo are a tad slow running between the sticks.

Middle Order ( Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey and Shakib Al Hasan)

The Knight Riders middle-order is perhaps the best in the Tournament with the likes of the experienced Indian batsman Robin Uthappa and No 1. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

Robin Uthappa did not have the best of starts to the tournament after his successful stint with the Knight Riders. The management was confident about the batsman’s technique and strength in the middle of the park. The opener paid no heed to the critics and proved them wrong with his performance against the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad, although the opener was given a reprieve early on in the innings.

It is almost evident that Shakib Al Hasan would feature at some point or the other during the Tournament and the time seems to have come. The Bangladeshi all-rounder is in red-hot form post the away series against the Island nation Sri Lanka. The all-rounder would almost fit in seamlessly into this Knight Riders middle order.

Manish Pandey, the Karnataka batsman, would round up the middle-order line-up for the Knight Riders. The Karnataka batsman has been in the form of his life after his brilliant innings of 81 against the Mumbai Indians went in vain. Since then the batsman has scored 25 runs and 46 runs in the next two innings. It would be interesting to see if the batsman gets a chance to make it to the Indian squad after the string of good performances.

Lower order( Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav and Chris Woakes)

The lower order of this team is as strong as the middle order of any other team. Yusuf Pathan has been one of the biggest names in the household after his success with the Rajasthan Royals. Since then, there has been no look back for the Indian all-rounder. The swashbuckling player from Baroda has been the difference between a win and a loss for the side on a numerous occasion.

His form would be the difference between the Knight Riders reaching the finals and winning the Tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav’s brutal knocks at the back end of the innings have provided the edge to the Knight Riders. Very often it has been the difference between 170 and 200 for the side. The lower order batsman has smashed the bowlers almost every time the Knight Riders captain has wanted him to.

Chris Woakes makes it to the list despite being more of a bowler than a batsman for the Knight Riders. However, it would be a mistake to undermine the all-rounder’s strength with a willow in hand. Woakes bowling has been one of the strengths of Gambhir’s side, and his influence would grow as the Tournament progresses.

Bowlers (Kuldeep Yadav, Trent Boult and Umesh Yadav)

Kuldeep Yadav’s form began way before the commencement of the Tournament with his last test heroics in Dharamsala. The Chinaman’s actions is not an easy one to pick, and with the added responsibility of scoring quick runs, more often than not, the batsman succumbs to him under pressure.

Trent Boult’s tournament has been a one of two parts- one where the bowler is extremely unlucky and the other where the bowler has been terribly disappointing. The Kiwi opening bowler has not managed to light up the tournament with his swing bowling. Boult is probably one of the world’s best swing bowlers and a lot was expected of him from the Knight Riders.

Umesh Yadav’s tournament started a bit later than the rest of his team-mates after the bowler missed the opening two games due to fatigue-ness of the long Indian summer. Yadav is the best fast-bowler at present in India. He has all the skillset, varying from slower deliveries to a pacy yorker. The opening bowler has made his position in the line-up his own with consistent performances with four wickets on his return.